3 charged in separate bank robberies

Three men have been charged in federal court today with committing separate bank robberies, including an Hoffman Estates man who is believed to be responsible for at least four bank heists himself,

Kenneth White, 34, of the 700 block of West Bode Circle was charged with one count of bank robbery for a Nov. 9 heist of a Harris Bank branch in suburban Park Ridge, the FBI said.

According to a complaint filed in the U.S. Northern District of Illinois Court, White walked into the bank located at 615 Busse Highway at about 4:34 p.m. and approached a teller. White then passed a handwritten note that said, "Give me all the money."

When the teller hesitated, White quietly said, "now." The teller then handed over $3,816. White took the money and his demand note and walked out of the bank, the complaint said.

Investigators reviewed the bank's surveillance video and made still images of White wearing black gym shoes, a sweatshirt and a blue New York Yankees baseball cap.

The images showed a physical resemblance to a man who had robbed banks in Rolling Meadows, Chicago, Arlington Heights and Glenview, the complaint said. White has not been charged in those robberies.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Jody Cloak, 29, of the 1600 block of Downs Drive in Calumet City was also charged with one count of bank robbery for a Nov. 6, robbery of a Fifth Third Bank branch located at 3957 W. 26th St. in Chicago, the FBI said.

Cloak entered the bank at about 9:40 a.m. on Thursday and handed the teller a note saying, "Stay calm, I have a gun, I need you to put all the money that you have in this bag. If you cooperate no one will get shot," according to a criminal compliant. Cloak left the bank with $735 in a cream-colored bag.

Police were called and officers were able to track the money with a GPS tracking device that was with the money. He was arrested nearby in a vehicle where officers found a handgun and a white ALDI Grocery bag filled with money, the complaint said.

Cloak was taken into custody and later charged. His next court appearance was scheduled for Dec. 11.

In addition, Pervis Lamon Howard of Chicago has been charged with a Sept. 19 robbery at the Chase Bank, 800 N. Kedzie Ave., in Chicago, officials said.

According to a criminal complaint filed today, Howard, 27, is charged with stealing $1,860 after he walked up to a teller and passed a note to the teller demanding money.

The note stated, "Give me all your money or your bankers will die." Then he allegedly leaned forward and told the teller, "I will kill them all."

On Dec. 6, Howard approached a Cook County Sheriff's Deputy at the Daley Center and told him that he wanted to turn himself in to the FBI for robbing the the bank. He claimed that he had decided to rob the bank because he had been homeless and needed the money.